Naomism

Finding new philosophies with Naomi Murakami

Combining a palette of bold, contrasting colors with a limitless array of blotched and arrhythmic curves, Naomi Murakami brings acrylic paints to the canvas in the name of her own philosophy, Naomism.

Naomism, you ask? Having arisen from her self-proclaimed "garbage" past, Murakami's new philosophy is fine art, which she thanks for keeping her heart beating. Being a Tokyo native who's become disillusioned by the traditional ideas in her culture, yet still an outsider to the culture of the United States where she currently resides, she's found a true homeland in art.

Indeed, her philosophy transcends her art, which encapsulates a world of her own. Her internally based paintings feature non-objective figures that all seem to resist yet simultaneously weave into the other visual elements of her pseudo-realist work. Murakami's prints, on the other hand, host more defined and recognizable characters—faces and mechanical gears, for example—in detailed etchings.

Fine art isn't the only thing occupying Murakami's time; she's the art director at the Wellness and Advocacy Center in Santa Rosa and runs art workshops, encouraging others to explore their identity through art. "She Eats Cheetos with Chopsticks," featuring work by Naomi Murakami, is on exhibit June 28–July 27 at RiskPress Gallery. Opening reception, Saturday, June 30, at 2pm. 7345 Healdsburg Ave., Sebastopol. 707.478.2379.—Catherine Zaw